Mazda Tribute

anilpunjabi

HI everyone, I am a long time reader as well as poster for this forum. My trib and I were involveed in an accident on I95 right outside of cottman avenue, in Philadelphia. Man was I thankful fro my seatbelts. They held me against my seat teh entire time, my airbags went off, yet I never needed them due the the great hold on the seatbelts. It was a four car accidnet and I was the last car, I slamed on the brakes but the accidnt was too close, so I smashed into the rearen of a car. I was probably goin 55 but when i hit the brakes and hit the rearend I was porbably goin a good 20-25 mph. The engine magicaly staretd after i shut it iif, however it was not drivabel due to radiator fluid leakign out. I am only 17, but it scared the balsl out of me. I was happy taht I was driving a trib. This my first accidnet, do not know how any toher car woudl have held up. I saw on the gov't website that teh trib is considered five star for frontal impact. Hopefully this acident showed that. I had no intrusion into the cabin, and I only wish taht it wasnt me, but thank good for everyone surviving, although a civic in this accidnet, its airbags di not deploy, good luck everyone, and let god be there for you when u need it most.
P.S. please mind the speeling i know its bad, but sorry

tidester

anil,

We're glad to hear you're okay! I think it makes good sense to slow down and fasten those seatbelts!

tidester
Host
SUVs

1jimv1

through EAA: Time is Running Out! Join at eaa.org BEFORE Dec 1st ( during next 4 days, cost $40) to get immediate Personal Identification Number that allows you to buy your Tribute through a willing dealer at S Plan low pricing. PIN is Good for at least a year. After Nov 30 you must wait a year before you can get the PIN through EAA. S Plan can help a lot in the softening market this winter!

scname

Seems every dealder in town has a large inventory of Tributes on the lot now, 6 to 12 cars per dealder. Has anyone got a really good deal recently ?

s002app

Thanks paanmc for the S-Plan info and Jake Sweeney. I live in Dayton and the I-275 beltway is no more than a 45 min. drive for me, so I'll definitely contact them.

Does anyone know if the 2002 Ford Escape changes being applied since Nov. 5 (shorter shift lever and more cushion in seats) known as either Job 1 or Job 2 also apply to 2002 Tributes? I know they are assembled in the same plant, but not sure if or when the same changes will occur for Tributes.

mindy10

We now have had our Mazda Tribute since the end of August, Desert Metallic ES V6, lots of power and roomy, no problems other then wind noise, would love to have Mazda solve that one, we have only had Honda's in the past, still have an CRV, but wanted more power, this colour is great in the rain that we get in Vancouver. As to other changes we would like to see - lock on passengers side and lighting on key ignition, we found a product that is great on the mags. Oh yes we changed those tires before we drove it off the lot
we put on Michelins, would not drive those wilderness tires, have always used Michelins. The product is Meguiar's HOT RIMS All-Wheel Cleaner, (pink) you spray on and hose off, works great. Try it.

imdecidn2

I,too, wondered if Escape Job 1/Job 2 changes would be forthcoming on the Trib. (I'd hoped audia8q would respond to you on that.) Yesterday I stopped in a local dealership to view colors and ask about those changes. They were clueless.

I also hinted about the stalling problem...my salesman, who said he was fairly new, had never heard about it. He suggested we ask another salesman because, as he put it, "he always researches NHTSA". The 2nd salesman assured me there "had been a recall on it" as if to say everything is fine. I left there wondering if I'd missed something.

Later I went through NHTSA Mazda 2001 recalls. None of these fixes were directly attributed to stalling that I can see. I also went through about half of the incident reports on that board and although I KNOW there are a bazillion vehicles out there with no problems, I find I am becoming fearful. Reading the incident reports will do that to you. So here I sit, eaa membership all in order, my vehicle pretty well chosen, and I'm scared to buy. Current vehicle running great so that takes off any pressure-to-replace. I know salesman will call me in a few days....I'm going to tell him that his co-worker must be reading a different NHTSA than I am.

mcujim

I have a family member that can get me the A-plan discount through Ford. Does anyone know if this is applicable to a Mazda (Tribute), since Mazda is partially owned by Ford? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, I am not interested in purchasing through Ford, the Tribute is much better for so many reasons!

draymond2

It is highly unlikely that you would be able to buy a tribute on the "s" plan (equiv to "x" plan) I live in the Louisville area and I haven't found anyone in a 200mile radius that would accept the "s" plan.

The dealers are telling me they are selling well and they don't need to discount them. They also mentioned supply problems, due to the fact that ford makes 4 escapes to every tribute made.

Good Luck on your seach. by the way I ordered a Tribute 3 weeks ago. I received $500 under MSRP that was the best I could do..

escapetribute

Hi everyone, I was wondering if any of you have had problems with your Escape or Tribute stalling out on you while driving. I have heard many stories of people stalling out while driving and having near accidents on the freeway. If any of you have had these stalling problems, please contact the Dept of Transportation Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888 327-4236)and tell them your story. Thanks.

maltb

but it seems kinda weird when someone posts something like that with a name like "escapetribute". Why not just say where you are from and state your case?

carseeker4

Well, I am new to this board so please be patient, but I have been thru a 2 year SUV search
odyssey since after two floods and several
snowstorms, I feel I need a "heftier" vehicle
than my pretty darn faithful 97 Chevy Lumina.
First I looked at the Outback/Forrester, but
not enough ground clearance and the Outback is TOO EXPENSIVE in the V-6 models. I was thrilled when the Escape/Tribute came out and have been drooling since.
Now its getting down to the time to buy and I read
this board (and the "problems" board) a lot and
am having BIG second thoughts about the Escape/Trib. The stalling issue and other quality
problems are disconcerting (and I blame them
squarely on Ford - since the engine and components
are the main source of the quality problems). I saw the new CRV... its nice, but its Honda (bland)
and EVERYTHING including a stinkin' lousy roof
rack is OPTIONAL, and of course, no V-6 (though
the 4 is peppy, but noisy and I would hate to
try to pass a truck on I-81 in a CRV!). I am
now waiting for the Saturn VUE, but have heard
inklings that its AWD system isn't extremely
functional. The Trib is still my "heart" favorite, but I don't want to deal with a lemon
or a car that will have poor depreciation.....
now I hear Mazda is stopping side airbags (at
least for a while!), which is a minus, since
I want the side airbags in an SUV.... so what
am I do to? If I wait for the VUE, the few
Tribs left with side airbags will be off the
lots until who-knows-when and then what?!
Sorry to vent, but I am really in a quandry here.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

canadatwo

Beg and plead Nissan to bring the X-trail to North America!

adnips

Carseeker4, start checking around your local dealers via fax. I plan to pick up a loaded ES 4WD at a dealership in Atlanta on Monday, with side airbags. Got a great deal at net invoice cost and 5.9% financing. Did everything via fax and phone. Like you, I did alot of research on both the Escape & the Trib. My daughter bought the Escape and has had no problems in over 8 months. My wife liked the styling of the Trib abit better so that's what we are buying. My other daughter likes the Vue but has yet to drive one. In my opinion and research, the Escape/Tribs are the best value for the money relative to size, performance, and looks. Good luck!

edster1

I, too, had an accident in my Tribute. Fortunately, no one was hurt and I was able to drive the car home. Unfortunately, however, the accident was on September 5 and the repairs have yet to be completed. That's right, 3 months. The problem... PARTS!. Though the accident appeared to be somewhat minor (a car ran a red light and clipped my front end), it affected the whole car. Parts are back-logged. I've been driving a Saturn rental for three months. I HATE Saturns...

odie6l

Carseeker4, I have had my escape now for 8000 trouble free miles, including a 8 1/2 hour straight drive from Hershey,PA to Knoxville,TN right down I-81/I-40. It was the most fun I've had driving in awhile. Most of the lastly built Escape/Tributes of the 2001 model year had the bugs worked out. If you notice the recalls were on the ones built at the end of 2000 (or beginning of the 2001 model run) Also, After I took my roof rails off (only going to have them on when I need them) My gas mileage with the v-6 is about 20/22 for city and about 24/26 for highway driving. I've been all over the state of PA with the Escape. Mostly from Hershey/Harrisburg to Philadelphia and back, and an occasional trip up to Clearfield,Pa for a funeral and to visit relatives. But like I said the fun drive was going straight down i-81-i-40 from Hershey to Knoxville. I had the speedometer at 75-80 the entire way down and it ran great. I was looking at the CR-V and the X-terra before the Escape/Tribute.. but when I couldn't fit into them (headroom and leg room) I tried out the Escape and it fit like an old pair of shoes (you know the ones your wife wants to through out but they are the most comfortable things you own) You can see some pics at this link:

Http://members.aol.com/losttreasures26

Hope you have good luck with what-ever you do get.

Odie

carseeker4

Thanks..... Based on edster1's comment on Saturns I guess I should forget the VUE! ;-) They still have not called to have me in for a test drive, but the Mazda dealer called me today to ask how it was going and if I had decided yet...Speaking of Nissan, we did look at the XTerra, but its simply to "mod" and truck-like. I live in the Philly area, adnips. Tribs are a bit harder to come by up here probably due to the climate. One dealer got cleaned out in a couple weeks. The dealer I am dealing with still has 4-5 in stock, only one of which I'm interested in ABS/Side Airbags/3-1 stereo. Escapes are impossible to come by off the lot. Based on the parts situation, I guess I better REALLY stay out of an accident! Thanks for the info again!

odie6l

Here's a trick that worked for me....(on the escape and other vehicles in the past), I lived in Chester,PA for the 1st 23yrs of my life and now I live in Hershey,PA (i'm also only 27)

Come up to some of the dealers up this way to purchase your car, there's an abundance of them up here. A Ford Dealer right on rt.322 east of Hershey has 4 escapes sitting on their lot (blue,red,silver,and white) I guess their trying to be patriotic. A Mazda / Jeep dealer just west of Lebanon on Rt.422 has 5 Trib's sitting on their lot. You can e-mail me at Odie6L @ aol.com if you want the names of the dealers.... I won't give names on here.

The real trick is to get the name of a dealer up here near Hershey / Harrisburg / Lebanon and tell the Dealer near you "While I was up in Hershey visiting relative's I stopped by (insert name here) and they have (insert # of vehicle here) and they offered me (Trade in amount here) , But if you want my buisness here (local dealer name) match it or beat it and have the car withing 1 week or I'm going to (farther dealer name here). I would rather purchase here since your closer to my home."
90% of the time they will match or beat the trade in price on a compairable maodel of the same car. I can usually get about another $1000 on my trade with that.

But seriously, there are plenty of Trib's / Escapes up in this area because we get snow sooner than the Philly area and they know people will buy sooner up here.

Odie

carseeker4

Thanks, Odie... I have a brother in law in Etown, but won't see him till Christmas... maybe I should wait... don't know... but thanks

dnardini

I purchased a Mazda Tribute (DX-I4 AWD, 5 speed) the first of March 2001 which was delivered to me with the battery light on. A new alternator was installed on March 6, 2001.

After that the battery light disappeared, however I encountered several incidents where I would come to a stop and the engine would lose power, with the idle loping to 250rpms. The vehicle would shudder and almost stall. I reported this to Mazda and they asked me to "look for a pattern" to help diagnose, but the symptom seems too damn intermittent.

On November 7, 2001 the battery light came on again. I immediately drove straight to the dealer as it felt like the alternator has stopped working (which it did).

They could not diagnose the problem and kept the vehicle in the shop for 3 weeks. I picked it up again on November 22nd and was assured that "the problem was fixed". The work order indicates that they replaced (in this order) alternator, PCM, wire harness, GEM, PCM (again), airbag module, alternator (yet again), EEC relay, instrument cluster and battery.

Sooo... I'm on my 4th alternator and 3rd PCM. I guess that I'm getting mileage out of the warranty, heh. The bad news is that I had a power drain/idle loping incident within days of picking the vehicle up, and several since that.

On Wednesday, Dec 12, 2001 I brought the vehicle back to Mazda. It checked out 100%... nobody can find the problem.

I've lost complete confidence in this vehicle and have approached Mazda for a replacement or refund. Mazda reassures me that this is what warranties are for.

I can honestly say that this has been the worst consumer experience of my life. I have owned three Mazda vehicles back-to-back (two previous B2600 trucks) and seriously doubt there will be a fourth.

More importantly I am very concerned that eventually I will encounter the stalling problem, or the alternator will fail again somewhere up in the mountains.

I am sorry to see that others have experienced similiar or worse problems.

I still believe that the Tribute is the best designed vehicle in it's class, and I have found it a joy to drive. However Mazda needs to address these serious power problems and work on the Tribute's reliability.

I'm hoping that Mazda will eventually stumble across the problem and we will all put this issue to rest... before somebody is seriously hurt as a result.

I'm also looking for others who have experienced these brief power drains while stopping the vehicle, notably with the DX 5 speed model.

I've noticed a few folks suggesting these problems are specific to older models of the Tribute that were manufactured in late 2000. While that may be true Mazda has never officially recognized this problem (to me anyways) and has never solved it to my knowledge. Having said this I would be surprised to see the problem fixed in newer models.

Regards,
Dino Nardini
dino@rivendell.ns.ca

firstov

Hi,
My 02 Trib gas pedal does not work smoothly. The very first moment when I push the pedal, it does not go, so I have to push it a little harder and then I got hi RPM... kinda hard to keep the car in traffic. I went to the dealer, they cleaned it. It helped for a while, but I got the problem again next month. Went to the dealer. He told me he does not feel that gas pedal works not smoothly...
Please help!! My wife got RAV4 and gas pedal there works very soft. Does anyone else have same problem???

audia8q

I don't know if your vehicle has a problem or not...but Mazda has put whats called a "high tip in" in the tribute..This means the vehicle has a very sensative gas peddle when you first step on it...Many car makers do this to create the impression a car has more "go" than it really does...

Rich

offset_98

These things are complete crap. A friend of mine waited 3 months for parts after his was in an accident. Because it was out of commision for more than 30 days he got them to buy back under LL. Did I mention the 5 recalls he had or the fact that the airbags didn't blow in the accident? Hell, I don't think there was much of the bumper, hood, fan assembly left on it. I will say he loved it but hated Mazda, got an Escape with more on it for less $$$ and likes the drive of the Escape better.

audia8q

if the collision was in the front like you mentioned (hood, fender, fan) the side airbag should NOT go off....it only deploys in a true side impact...not a frontal offset crash.

So the side airbag worked like as advertised..

Rich

audia8q

BTW:

The Escape has more TSB's and has had more recalls than the Mazda Tribute...As a dealer of both products we have been somewhat surprised how much better the Mazda has been than the Escape....Based upon our real world sales.

Rich

maltb

Offset is going around to the various Mazda boards trying to make some point with anecdotal evidence.

offset_98

anecdotal? You know all about the recalls and TSB's out there too. Don't give me this anecdotal BS. It's plastered all over the dealer service centers, internet...you name it. I told you once and I will tell you again...if you want internal office documents about the crap that goes on there...I have them. So before you spread the rest of your wonderful word about anecdotal evidence, look that word up in a dictiony so you know exactly what it means before using it again.

carseeker4

The Trib may have eliminated itself from possible purchase when I saw one sitting in the used car section of my local Honda dealer today! That spoke volumes! (Sorry if this appears twice in the list, I had trouble with the "Post" button).

audia8q

That doesnt mean anything....We have had quite a few used Tributes/Escapes already at auction....
The rental car companies have provided us with a good supply of used units.

Rich

carseeker4

Thanks.... I would agree with you that I might
encounter some Tribs at an auto auction...
REPOs or whatever.... but seeing that one at
the HONDA DEALER really raised my eyebrows.
Somebody was dissatisfied and swapped it at
a great loss for a CRV! I'm sure!
Happy New Year!

audia8q

you never know...We took in a 2002 Explorer the other day....and a consumer seeing it one the used car lot might think the same thing...why?

but in reality it was traded in on a new Navigator because the Explorer wanst big enough for the consumer. They loved it and had no troubles, just not enough size.

Also, If somebody traded an escape/tribute for a CRV there is something wrong with the consumer. lol The CRV is second rate compared to these usits..

imdecidn2

I'm still looking at Tribs & Escapes altho my better half wants to see me buy a Caravan with 0% financing. (That would be my 5th Dodge van). Today's paper has an ad from a distant Mazda dealer saying "call for special S-plan pricing." I checked their inventory via the net and called on an ES 4 x 4 they had. I was told that the S plan is only good on DX's. Ever heard of this????

We later visited a local Mazda dealer and easily got a S plan quote on a ES vehicle coming in. I have managed to get X plan prices from the Ford Direct site but this is the first time I have gotten an actual dealer S plan quote. I want to add (for anyone who might be curious) that altho the Mazda is more costly than the Escape, the Mazda S plan was about 300 under invoice whereas Ford X plan hovers at invoice.

1jimv1

It is 1% below total invoice and most Ford dealers honor it on all Escapes. It should be easier to buy a Tribute using S plan through Mazda dealers now because of increasing supply, the slow selling winter season and the economy. Don't wait until spring. Keep looking! Tribs and Escapes are real pleasers, I have one and it's perfect! They don't need 0% financing to sell all they can build. Many a "better half" soon wants one too.

imdecidn2

Jim...You're right, it is easy to buy a Trib but hard to get answers on changes. Saw another dealer's ad yesterday (different than my #933 post)..Ad said "$500. rebate for all S plan buyers" and ad had NO restrictions. Drove there and they had at least 10 Tribs. Turns out the ad did exclude Tribs (the ad was incorrect) but decided to take our first test drive anyway. Husband and I immediately said these seats are hard...just like the lst and only time we sat in an Escape (pre seat change). Haven't sat in a newer Escape yet. To ask a dealer if and when the seats will be changed is futile...they don't know or won't say. But I loved driving that car and it didn't stall on me.

Called the 800 Mazda # this morning. Asked if Mazda will follow Ford on seat & shift lever changes. Man checked and found info on seat changes and cup holders...didn't find shift lever change. Also could not tell me when changes will start. Now, although I like the Trib a bit more than the Escape, I have learned Ford information is a lot easier to come by than Mazda's.

B.T.W. That misleading ad ran 3 days and it is telling me something about the demand for these Tribs that we were the first and only customers to bring it to their attention. The sales mgr was flabbergasted and very apologetic.

P.S. Husband is not likely to give up his 3/4 T, 4x4, H.D., 454 w/410 axle truck for a mini suv. But he has offered to pay for my upgrade from a 4x2 to a 4x4. The upgrade, not the vehicle!

Glad I'm in no hurry to get this vehicle. Another check at NHTSA site shows 2002 Mazda is ahead (!)of Ford on the "problem". And why do I still desire one of these vehicles? Like people have said, value, style, drive, etc. And I keep hearing "zoom zoom zoom" in my head along with caveat emptor.

Oh, and yes a dealer can deny S plan on some Trib models. That answers that.

Happy New Year all....

chicago_chic

Hoping to buy a trib and need help with choices...
1. Any difference between the ride in a 4WD versus a 2WD? I've heard a 4WD gives a firmer ride.
2. Ditto for adding on the so-called "towing package". I'm never, ever going to use it (the dealer wants to sell me a tribute with one) and have also heard that these affect the ride.
Thanks!

audia8q

as you already found out...the S-plan or X-plan if dealer optional. some dealers wont do them ever and others its hit and miss. It depends on supply, demand and timing.

Rich

carseeker4

I'm in the same camp. My heart loves the Trib,
my head says "CRV or Forester". I probably will
wait now until after winter and I get some
revelations about the 2003 Forester (like, does it have more ground clearance?). It doesn't
seem like it will be terribly snowy in my part
of the world this winter so I figure I can
get thru this winter OK. After
I see details about the 2003 Forester I will probably make a decision. I drove the CRV and in spite of the 4-cyl, it picks up nice in the lower range and is pretty quiet. Interior has more nooks for storage than the Trib, but overall the Trib "feels" larger and I like the interior of the Trib better (except for that shifter!). Best wishes on the decision.

1jimv1

chicago_chic: Neither 4wd nor tow package makes the ride firmer. But Tribute has a firmer ride than Escape. Try them both if firmness is significant to you.

imdecidn2

Rich...I jumped ship. Bought an Escape today. A deal too good to pass up. I posted on Escape.

But I am a bit suprised you had no remarks on my Mazda lack-of-information comments...can't ANYBODY say when seat changes will come through? Someone else on this board asked about that too.

Pat

imdecidn2

No more pain here. Subaru was the lst SUV I looked at. It felt cramped to me. Can't you compare dimensions from brochures? Comparing a CRV to a Trib??? Seems like two different animals. Best advice I got on these boards was to keep learning and reading. And to join EAA.
I am sure I'll love my Escape but will have to have some padre exorcise "zoom zoom" in my head. And today's purchase saved me so much $$ for basically the same vehicle. Oh, drove a Trib yesterday and certainly noticed the difference in the Escape's short shift lever today..didn't drive my own car...it wasn't unpacked yet.

audia8q

I'm not too surprised about the lack of infomation. I've seen it for 20 years now. Generally the dealership is the last to know anything. With a hot seller like the Tribute the MFG often makes changes that we find out about when a consumer tells us...haha


Rich

jetmommy

I just wanted to add my 2 cents regarding Tribute's in the used car lots. "Buyer beware" my Tribute was repurchased by Mazda it had the stalling problem, also oil leaks and the air conditioner fan went bad the first week. I took my refund and purchased a 2002 Toyota Camry which I am very pleased with. Anyway my car salesman said that they had a memo saying not to take the Mazda Tribute as a trade-in. I believe him, he had nothing to gain by telling me this as I wasn't trading in anything. In all fairness to Mazda my Mom also bought a Tribute and has not had any problems (cross fingers)to date. We bought our Tributes in July of 2001. Good Luck!

tribulation

Has anyone else experienced the below gear shifter anomaly?? My enthusiasm of being the owner of a new 2002 Tribute LX-V6 4WD was short-lived when I discovered an anomaly (?) with the brake-shift interlock mechanism on my second day of ownership. Intermittent problems are often difficult to isolate but this one has me particularly baffled. On intermittent occasions, at engine startup, the shift lever gets locked in the PARK position preventing me from moving the column shifter into DRIVE. After multiple, repeated and frustrating attempts, the lever eventually (mysteriously) unlocks and allows me to be on my way. The owner's manual (pg. 159) discusses a safety feature that instructs the driver to depress the brake pedal (which I am doing) before moving the gearshift lever from the PARK position. Two local dealers advised me that the problem reported is normal but I suspect a malfunction of the shift lock relay or sensor. I was told that I absolutely cannot touch the shift lever until I have started the engine and depressed the break... to no avail I have followed their sound guidance and the problem persists. Under normal operating conditions, I can hear the shift lock disengage when I depress the brake pedal but when malfunctioning, I distinctly do not hear the "click" or "swish" sound from the steering column. The manual alludes to use of the brake-shift interlock override on the steering column during such lock out instances which leads me to believe that this is a common problem but the manual fails to identify it as a problem and just instructs you how to rectify such instances (read between the lines, I suppose). Well, I have never owned a new car (or old one for that matter) that required me to stick a screw driver in the steering column to make it roadworthy. HELP!! Needless to say, it will take more than this (hopefully) minor glitch to change my overall positive first-impression of the Tribute. I test drove them all in my quest for the ultimate vehicle in a reasonable price range and this is by far the best overall SUV. Suggestions and comments are welcomed. Tribute Tribulation

carseeker4

imdecidn2 - I wish you well with the Escape.
CRV is roomy enough though not as powerful
or attractive as the Escape/Tribute - I would
not call it a "different animal" though - the Forester IS a different animal and it was a tad small, yes. Yes, the Trib/Escape are "nicer", but I am seeing enough complaints to justify my concern.

tribulation (clever handle, by the way), you
should post to the NHTSA website under consumer
complaints.

jetmommy - I'm sure the blue trib I saw at the Honda dealer last week was a "trouble trade"! I'd be curious to see if other dealerships have "blacklisted" this car as had your Toyota dealer.

tcd2

Well I was all set to buy a Tribute but the dealer swap went south when the dealer who had the vehicle didn't stick to his argeement and sold the SUV the day it arrived instead of swapping it with my local dealer. Plus after reading all the problems I was starting to get nervous about buying one. So I bought a new Chevy Trailblazer LT 4WD and love it. Thanks for all the good info. and good luck to all of you with Tributes.

Happy Motoring!

reggies

We currently have a 2000 MPV. Our third child is on the way and we are not looking forward to putting a carseat in the third row. My question; will three car seats fit in the back seat of the Tribute? We are thinking of making a change but really like our MPV. Only problem there is little room in the rear of it with the third row up.
Also, anyone purchase a new Tribute in the midwest lately. I'm in Des Moines, IA and would like to know what people are paying for a front wheel drive Tribute LX in this area.

Thanks.

Reg

draymond2

Purchased Tribute 2weeks ago for my wife on "S" plan. Wife wanted a Highlander couldn't justify/afford the extra 10k. Test drove a Highlander, very impressed, typical Toyota quality. Styling left a lot to be desired for me.

Drove the tribute for the 2nd time yesterday. Some first impressions. It is EXTREMELY LOUD on the expressway, had to turn the radio up to baffle the noise. Plenty of interior room, adequate pickup, love the styling. Only time will tell on the quality. It is still a truck, If you are accustomed to driving a car you might be dissapointed.

cpa222

We have a 2002 Tribute. My Son borrowed it the other day to see if 2 booster seats and a forward facing upright child seat would fit. They did, but you could not use the arms on both of the booster seat. He also said that it was a pain to get all three buckled up.

wackywoody

To Jetmommy, I to have had serious issues with a 2001 Tribute I purchased for my daughter. After 3 months the brake master cylinder failed and now 2 instances of the stalling issue. The car is in the shop with the dealer trying to get me to upgrade to 2002. There will be some minimal cost to me . How long did the buyback take, when did it occur and did you have to go through the letter process to mazda ? I am being told they stopped buy back at the district level on Jan 1 2002 .

jetmommy

To Wackywoody: I'm not sure what you mean when you say that Mazda stopped buyback at the district level? Mazda Corporation bought back my car, not the dealer that I bought it from. I wrote a letter and the whole process took about 7-8 weeks. I was in a rental the whole time on Mazda's dime. The Tribute qualified in my state as a lemon and I think thats why they didn't give me a hard time. I lost about $500 because there is a formula they use to take into consideration the mileage you have used until the point of the final repair. My suggestion is to read up on your states lemon law. It sounds like you have a good case as those are serious defects. Good luck!